The US Senate has a limited time frame to pass the PRESS Act, a federal bill that would provide nationwide protections for journalists from being forced to disclose confidential sources. The House passed the bill with bipartisan support in January, but it has been pending in the Senate since then. The PRESS Act aims to shield journalists and their sources from government overreach, including secret seizures of phone records, except in emergency cases.

The bill's supporters argue that such protections are necessary to prevent a chilling effect on newsgathering and to safeguard the public's right to be informed. Critics, however, might question the need for federal legislation and worry about potential implications for national security or government investigations.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/10/its-the-senates-last-chance-to-pass-the-press-act/